A Richmond man is facing the music, federally charged with smuggling a cache of ammunition to Brazil. U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Tatum King announced a grand jury indictment for Edijalma De Souza Ferreira, 46, on illegal ammo exportation.
The accused shot himself in the foot by allegedly shipping thousands of rounds in two containers from Oakland's Piers, according to a February 27 indictment. Smuggled in 2021, these rounds were bound for Brazil, sidestepping the required export license in direct violation of the Export Control Reform Act. Flanked by federal officers, Ferreira landed in handcuffs on February 29.
Making his initial court appearance the same day in Oakland, Ferreira has been released on bond ahead of a March 6 session with U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu, announced on the Justice Department website. The date is set for the identification of counsel to take on his case.
If convicted, Ferreira is staring down the barrel of up to a decade in federal prison and could be fined up to $250,000 for the 18 U.S.C. § 554 violation. The indictment serves as a reminder, however, that defendants have the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Having been pulled together by Homeland Security Investigations, with a helping hand from various U.S. and Brazilian agencies, the case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle J. Kane, supported by Kathy Tat.
